In light of the fact that we have very limited (read: no) funds, we need to work on figuring out how to make best use the the iPads' stock (built-in) apps. Unfortunately, a review of the stock apps is pretty depressing. All of them are incredible apps when used by one device owner. Because our iPads are being shared - not Apple's intent - the apps become very limited.
Newsstand: This application allows the user to read magazines on the tablet. Many of them are "free," but the "free" issue is simply a teaser to get you to buy a subscription. Value for students: none
iMessage: Apple's messaging program for iPads and iPods. Can only be used by the account holder to other account holders. Value for students: none
Mail: Can be configured with any email account (Apple, gmail, etc. - not school email). Since the county does not want us using email, this is useless. It would have been an excellent way for us to have the kids mail screenshots, writings and creations to the teachers. Value for students: none
Safari: Apple's browser. Are students allowed to use a browser that resides outside of the school's secure server? If not this application is useless. If we are allowed, then students can surf the web, research, etc. However, teachers need to remember that flash sites like Raz-kids, First in Math and Glogster will not run on the iPads. Value for students: useful, but less so than using the netbooks for similar purposes. On the netbooks, students can save files to their shared drive and they can use flash sites. Additionally, on the netbooks, students are securely placed behind the firewall and other security features.
iBooks: Apple's book reader. Books cost money. We can find some freebies, but they are typically low quality. Paid books are expensive and their utility is not high. We simply can't afford to replenish the iPads with books after kids tire of the current selections. iPad books are more expensive than Kindle or Nook books, not that any of these books are cheap. Value for students: without constantly upgrading our iBook supply, the value is low and the continuing cost is high.
Facetime: Apple's device to device videochat which is tied to the accountholder's information. Value for students: none
Photobooth: Apple's photo manipulation software. Students can take pictures of themselves or each other. Can't send anywhere. They can write stories about their manipulations - ON PAPER. Aggravating. NOT the best use of the iPad. Value for students: extremely low
Reminders: Teachers can set reminders for events. If the iPad is in the room, they will get a reminder notification. Can't see a use for this for students. Value for students: none
Photos: The built-in camera and video capability make this presentation tool useful, however, the creations cannot be sent elsewhere without using email or a cloud storage. Value for students: High (creating with images and sound), but extremely low for utility without a sharing capability.
Music: Without an iTunes account, this app is rendered useless. Value for students: none
Videos: Without an iTunes account or any other way to get video onto the devices, this is a dead app. Value for students: none
iTunes: See above. Value for students: none
AppStore: Students cannot visit the AppStore so this app will be off limits. Value for students: none
Find My iPad: Because students will not be taking the iPads outside of their classrooms, this app is useless. IF teachers remove the tablets from the campus, then there is minor utility in case of reported theft. Since teachers are not encouraged to take netbooks out of the building and in light of the fact that we do not have insurance on the iPads, there seems to be no reason to allow the iPads to be taken off campus. Teachers who plan on using the iPads and who have had ample training or experience could use an iPad at school to plan activities and lessons. Value for students: none
Maps: Students could explore maps on the iPads, but this app is designed as a tool to aid with directions, not intended to replace the robust Google Earth. Value for students: medium to high with instruction and appropriate lesson planning
YouTube: Students are not allowed to view video and if the iPads are not on the secure server (are they?), then the iPads will not even connect to YouTube. Value for students: none
Game Center: This app links to Apple's Game Center. Students will surely not be permitted to navigate to that space. Value for students: none
Notes: This app is a rudimentary word processor, note-taking device. The inability to move the notes to another platform renders this app essentially useless. Value for students: low
Calendar: Students can view days, months, years, etc., but the Calendar app is designed to be used by the account holder. Value for students: extremely low.
Contacts: No explanation needed. Value for students: none
In light of the fact that we have very limited (read: no) funds, we need to work on figuring out how to make best use the the iPads' stock (built-in) apps. Unfortunately, a review of the stock apps is pretty depressing. All of them are incredible apps when used by one device owner. Because our iPads are being shared - not Apple's intent - the apps become very limited.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/built-in-apps/
Newsstand: This application allows the user to read magazines on the tablet. Many of them are "free," but the "free" issue is simply a teaser to get you to buy a subscription. Value for students: none
iMessage: Apple's messaging program for iPads and iPods. Can only be used by the account holder to other account holders. Value for students: none
Mail: Can be configured with any email account (Apple, gmail, etc. - not school email). Since the county does not want us using email, this is useless. It would have been an excellent way for us to have the kids mail screenshots, writings and creations to the teachers. Value for students: none
Safari: Apple's browser. Are students allowed to use a browser that resides outside of the school's secure server? If not this application is useless. If we are allowed, then students can surf the web, research, etc. However, teachers need to remember that flash sites like Raz-kids, First in Math and Glogster will not run on the iPads. Value for students: useful, but less so than using the netbooks for similar purposes. On the netbooks, students can save files to their shared drive and they can use flash sites. Additionally, on the netbooks, students are securely placed behind the firewall and other security features.
iBooks: Apple's book reader. Books cost money. We can find some freebies, but they are typically low quality. Paid books are expensive and their utility is not high. We simply can't afford to replenish the iPads with books after kids tire of the current selections. iPad books are more expensive than Kindle or Nook books, not that any of these books are cheap. Value for students: without constantly upgrading our iBook supply, the value is low and the continuing cost is high.
Facetime: Apple's device to device videochat which is tied to the accountholder's information. Value for students: none
Photobooth: Apple's photo manipulation software. Students can take pictures of themselves or each other. Can't send anywhere. They can write stories about their manipulations - ON PAPER. Aggravating. NOT the best use of the iPad. Value for students: extremely low
Reminders: Teachers can set reminders for events. If the iPad is in the room, they will get a reminder notification. Can't see a use for this for students. Value for students: none
Photos: The built-in camera and video capability make this presentation tool useful, however, the creations cannot be sent elsewhere without using email or a cloud storage. Value for students: High (creating with images and sound), but extremely low for utility without a sharing capability.
Music: Without an iTunes account, this app is rendered useless. Value for students: none
Videos: Without an iTunes account or any other way to get video onto the devices, this is a dead app. Value for students: none
iTunes: See above. Value for students: none
AppStore: Students cannot visit the AppStore so this app will be off limits. Value for students: none
Find My iPad: Because students will not be taking the iPads outside of their classrooms, this app is useless. IF teachers remove the tablets from the campus, then there is minor utility in case of reported theft. Since teachers are not encouraged to take netbooks out of the building and in light of the fact that we do not have insurance on the iPads, there seems to be no reason to allow the iPads to be taken off campus. Teachers who plan on using the iPads and who have had ample training or experience could use an iPad at school to plan activities and lessons. Value for students: none
Maps: Students could explore maps on the iPads, but this app is designed as a tool to aid with directions, not intended to replace the robust Google Earth. Value for students: medium to high with instruction and appropriate lesson planning
YouTube: Students are not allowed to view video and if the iPads are not on the secure server (are they?), then the iPads will not even connect to YouTube. Value for students: none
Game Center: This app links to Apple's Game Center. Students will surely not be permitted to navigate to that space. Value for students: none
Notes: This app is a rudimentary word processor, note-taking device. The inability to move the notes to another platform renders this app essentially useless. Value for students: low
Calendar: Students can view days, months, years, etc., but the Calendar app is designed to be used by the account holder. Value for students: extremely low.
Contacts: No explanation needed. Value for students: none